Naturopathy:

integrates traditional natural therapies such as botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and naturopathic manipulative therapy with modern scientific medical diagnostic science and standards of care. Naturopaths recognize the innate intelligence and inherent healing ability of the body; great emphasis is placed on preventive medicine.

(See also: Naturopathy, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

Massage Therapy

The manipulation of the superficial tissues of the human body in order to promote deep relaxation, and release tension. Recent research has proven that massage is therapeutic, and can soothe injured muscles, stimulate Blood and Lymphatic circulation, improve structure and function of the body, increase toxic elimination, and more.

(See also: Massage Therapy, Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)

Massage therapy: General term for a range of manual approaches to enhance relaxation, elevate mood, reduce blood pressure, decrease pain and heighten immune responses. It involves the practice of kneading or otherwise manipulating a person’s muscles and other soft or connective tissue.

(See also: Massage therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Bodywork: A general term used to describe any type of manual, manipulative healing modality that aims to restore health of body mind and spirit. Some examples include massage, craniosacral therapy, acupressure and yoga therapy.

(See also: Bodywork, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Craniosacral Therapy: Manipulates bones in the skull, neck and tailbone to bring in balance the cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI). CRI affects connective tissue throughout the body. It can treat a range of conditions from earache to spinal cord injury and can also improve the body’s overall function.

(See also: Craniosacral Therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

CranioSacral Therapy: By gently manipulating the bones of the skull, practitioners seek to enhance the functioning of the CranioSacral system, a fluid circulatory system that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. Practitioners of the Upledger method follow the teachings of Dr. John Upledger, based on his practice and research at the Michigan State University.

(See also: CranioSacral Therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

MASSAGE THERAPY: A general term for a range of therapeutic approaches with roots in both Eastern and Western cultures. It involves the practice of manipulating a person's muscles and other soft tissue with the intent in improving a person's well-being or health, and may include, but not be limited to, deep tissue, percussion, vibration, and joint movement.

(See also: Massage therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

CORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY

Originated by George P. Kousaleos, CORE is a myofascial, postural and structural somatic therapy combining massage techniques with client-assisted movement. Normally lasting 10 sessions, there are four phases of CORE body therapy organized according to the level or layer of fascia, muscle, and supporting soft tissues that are manipulated: Core massage, core extrinsic, core intrinsic, and core integration.

(See also: CORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

RO-HUN TRANSFORMATION THERAPY

This is a form of energy healing in which the therapist manipulates the client’s energy bodies near each chakra. The objective of RoHun is to understand how certain adverse patterns became fixed in the emotional and mental energy bodies and to release the negative effects of these patterns on daily life. Although primarily an energy manipulation method, some noninvasive physical touch is involved.

(See also: RO-HUN TRANSFORMATION THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

MASSAGE, BODYWORK AND SOMATIC THERAPIES

Massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies is the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body.

The application of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapy techniques may include, but is not limited to, stroking, kneading, tapping, compression, vibration, rocking, friction, pressure, and those techniques based on manipulation or the application of pressure to the muscular structure or soft tissues of the human body.

This may also include non-forceful passive or active movement and/or application of techniques intended to affect the energetic systems of the body. The use of oils, lotions, powders, or other lubricants may also be included.

Massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies specifically exclude diagnosis, prescription, manipulation, or adjustments of the human skeletal structure, or any other service, procedure, or therapy that requires a license to practice orthopedics, physical therapy, podiatry, chiropractic, osteopathy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, or any other profession or branch of medicine.

(See also: MASSAGE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

POLARITY THERAPY

Polarity therapy is based on universal principles of energy - attraction, repulsion, and neutrality. The interrelation of these principles forms the basis for every aspect of life, including our experience of health, wellness, and disease. With this understanding, polarity therapy addresses the interdependence of body, mind, and spirit, the importance of relationships, and the value of creating a way of life in harmony with nature. Founded by Austrian-born naturopath Dr. Randolph Stone in the mid-1920s, polarity therapy is a clothes-on, noninvasive system complementing existing systems with an integrated, holistic model.

Polarity is based on the belief that positive and negative poles exist in every cell. The body is gently manipulated to balance the positive and negative energies. In addition to physical manipulation, blockages and toxins are eliminated through a cleansing diet and simple exercises. Treatments are suggested in a series of four. Training to become a practitioner is 430 hours.

(See also: POLARITY THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

OSTEOKINETICS

This therapy utilizes dialogue, coached breathing, and applying qigong from one side of the body through to the other while lengthening, stretching and manipulating the body, all of which creates space in the musculoskeletal system allowing for emotional and psychological restrictions to be cleared.

(See also: OSTEOKINETICS, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

HUMAN ENERGY DYNAMICS

This therapy, though similar to reiki, uses the English language instead of symbols. It involves setting up and normalizing polarities, as well as bringing universal energy into structures of the body. It is the mental manipulation of human energy to affect changes in one’s self and in others.

(See also: HUMAN ENERGY DYNAMICS, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Bodywork

encompasses many practices that utilize manual manipulation of the body. Techniques include massage, acupressure, energy work, movement, structural work, deep tissue massage and other therapies to induce relaxation, increase circulation, treat pain and stiffness, and to break up chronic patterns of muscular tension.

(See also: Bodywork, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Osteopathy: This form of medicine works with the musculoskeletal system to treat joint problems, chronic pain, menstrual problems, arthritis and many other conditions. Doctors use joint manipulation and physical therapy to stimulate the body’s healing capabilities.

(See also: Osteopathy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Osteopathy

Founded by Andrew Still, osteopathy is a system of therapy that emphasizes normal body mechanics and manipulation to correct faulty body structures.

Osteopathy is a complementary medicine that not only takes in the physical symptoms but the lifestyle, attitudes and current health of the patient.

(See also: Osteopathy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Structural Integration

The physical aspects of this therapy consist of manipulating the soft tissues of the body (fascia, muscles, and proprioceptors) to produce more appropriate links, elasticity and balance, resulting in increased vitality, improved posture, improved metabolic function and freer movement.

(See also: Structural Integration, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

MOVEMENT THERAPY

A variety of techniques that utilize movement re-education and proper body mechanics in combination with massage or soft tissue manipulation.

After observing the client, the therapist will determine which corrective measures are necessary to accomplish specific goals. Active client participation is important while the practitioner uses verbal instruction, hypnosis and imagery, deep muscle and connective tissue manipulation, and mobilization in the movement re-education process.

Registered practitioners may include graduates of The Feldenkrais Method, the Alexander Technique, and other movement-based disciplines.

(See also: MOVEMENT THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Chinese auricular therapy (Chinese auricular acupuncture, traditional Chinese auricular acu-points therapy, traditional Chinese auricular acupuncture, traditional Chinese auricular therapy): Group of TCM techniques whose channel theory differs from that of body acupuncture. Its apparent principle is that several areas and more than a hundred acupoints on the auricle (the outer portion of the ear) interactively relate to other areas or to diseases. The fetuslike contour of the auricle inspired the distribution of points thereon. Chinese auricular therapy, which differs from auriculotherapy, includes: auricular analgesia, auricular diagnosis, auricular magnetic therapy, auricular massage, auricular moxibustion, auricular point injection, the auricular point laser-stimulating method, bleeding manipulation, and the seed-pressure method.

(See also: Chinese auricular therapy, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

KUNDALINI ENERGIZATION

This is a form of healing energy in which the objective is to raise the client’s Kundalini energy for the purpose of spiritual enlightenment.

First, the chakras and energy bodies are thoroughly cleansed and balanced by undergoing RoHun transformational therapy, a therapy based on Carl Jung and his theory of archetypes, the personal and collective unconscious, and spiritual awareness. The therapist then performs noninvasive, light physical touch and manipulation of the chakras and energy bodies through use of the hands.

(See also: KUNDALINI ENERGIZATION, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

MYOPATHIC MUSCULAR THERAPY

Myopathy is a system of muscular manipulation designed to accomplish relaxation in muscles in which there is progressive and residual tension from physical strain, nervous strain, sports injuries, accidents, infections, and/or years of declining health.

Created by Dr. Claude Heckman, myopathy reduces inflammation and pain, restores circulation and motion, and aids in the restoration of normal body functions without the use of oil, cream, powder, or lotion.

(See also: MYOPATHIC MUSCULAR THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

HAKOMI THERAPY

A body-centered psychotherapy, hakomi was started in the mid-1970s by American Ron Kurtz. Hakomi uses body tensions and sensations to access information about the limiting beliefs, patterns, and habits of the individual. Hakomi bodywork includes hands-on manipulation to access and change these beliefs. Treatments vary to meet individual needs.

(See also: HAKOMI THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)